Police: 14 hurt in deck collapse at North Carolina beachhouse when family gathered for photo

EMERALD ISLE, N.C. – Authorities say a deck collapsed at a North Carolina beachhouse as a family was preparing to take a group photo, leaving at least 14 people injured with at least two of those in critical condition.

Emerald Isle Police Chief Jeffrey Waters says in an emailed statement that a caller in the Atlantic beach community reported the collapse about 7 p.m. Saturday and emergency crews arrived within minutes. Police say at least one victim was airlifted to a medical center.

He says the cause of the collapse isn't immediately known.

Fire Chief Bill Walker told The Associated Press by phone that a deck section measuring about 12 feet by 12 feet, which he estimated to be at least 10 feet aboveground, gave way at a single-story oceanfront home on pilings.